EXPERTISE RELEVANT TO THE TOPIC

My work is driven by a deep understanding of behavioral insights, which I leverage to promote sustainable consumption patterns. Specifically, I have been actively involved in research that:
• Accelerates the protein transition: My studies explore consumer preferences and behaviors regarding plant-based proteins, focusing on how to shift dietary patterns away from animal-based products. This involves designing and testing interventions that make sustainable protein options more appealing and accessible.
• Reduces food waste in the hospitality sector: I have conducted extensive research on strategies to minimize food waste in real-world settings, such as hotels and canteens, where small behavioral nudges can lead to significant reductions.
• Promotes organic and local foods: I am particularly passionate about encouraging the consumption of organic and locally produced foods. My work in this area explores how labeling, information campaigns, and strategic positioning can influence consumer choices toward more sustainable options.


OFFER FOR THE TOPIC

I can contribute primarily to the following key areas outlined in the call:

• Developing solutions to enhance the impact of physical food environments on sustainable consumption behaviors through new public-private collaborations.
• Designing and testing policy actions to improve the availability of sustainable foods.
And namely, beyond the expertise described above, I could mobilize a strong network of contacts with key stakeholders in South Tyrol’s food service sector, including restaurant operators, canteen service providers, hotels, and organizations in tourism and hospitality. These partners could be involved from the start to co-develop and test interventions in real-world settings that promote sustainable consumption. In these field experiments, we can explore nudging and labeling strategies to reshape food environments, encouraging sustainable choices
Additionally, policy actions to increase sustainable food availability can be developed in collaboration with companies, local authorities and the local community.
To ensure acceptance of the policies and feasibility, close interactions between researchers, businesses, local authorities and the public will be fostered through workshops and focus groups, allowing for valuable input that combines scientific rigor with societal relevance.

COLLABORATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS

- The research group has several active collaborations with local companies such as: Canteens, restaurants and hotels in South Tyrol for field experiments
- Food service providers
- Tourism boards

UNIBZ is located in one of the most fascinating EU regions, at the crossroads between the German-speaking and Italian economies and cultures. Unibz promotes trilingualism in teaching and research and is endowed with exceptional facilities, thus resulting in a high level of internationalization, an ideal study and research environment and consistently achieving top ranks in national and international rankings. UNIBZ is composed of 5 faculties (Economics and Management, Engineering , Education, Design and Art, Agriculture Environmental and Food Sciences) and 8 Competence Centres with specific research focuses relevant for the territory.
Despite its recent foundation (1997) unibz in the past few years has already established itself as an important research institution, both in Italy and abroad.
In 2022, for the sixth time in a row, UNIBZ was placed first among the small non-state universities (less than 5,000 students), reaching also the highest average score among all Italian universities, state and non-state ones (Censis). At the international level in the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings unibz ranked in the band of 401— 500 this year out of 1.527 institutions worldwide. ). At the international level in the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings unibz ranked in the band of 401— 500 this year out of 1.527 institutions worldwide. Our strongest pillars were "Citations" (with a score of 83,3 among the top 300) and "International outlook" (with a score of 74,2 among the top 300). In Italy we are on the 19th position out of 56 universities ranked.

The Faculty of Economics and Management has a strong focus on research and its members regularly publish in the leading journals of their fields. The faculty has been able to recruit several top researchers previously employed in highly renown Universities within and outside Europe. The research of the Faculty is articulated around five research areas (Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management, Tourism, Marketing and Regional Development, Financial Markets and Regulation, Law, Economics and Institutions, Quantitative Methods and Economic Modeling